Interview with Neil Emery by Vicky Macdonald

Description

Short interview conducted by Vicky MaCdonald during the ‘Longest Yarn’ with visitors that shared personal memories and family stories in reaction to the exhibition. The Longest Yarn exhibition was a month-long tribute to the War Effort behind the D-Day Landings of 1944 - displaying a 3D tapestry depicting D-Day in 80 panels – was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno (October 2–27, 2024).

Neil Emery shares stories of his great uncle, who fought in North Africa and Italy during WWII, including the battle at Monte Cassino. His uncle described wearing orange bibs to prevent friendly fire, though it wasn’t always effective. After the war, he served as a guard in a POW camp, where he encountered an unpopular SS officer. Neil’s great uncle survived the war, living to age 88, and shared some of his experiences with family. When Neil began recalling another great uncle, Victor Pugh of the RAF [the memories became too emotional, and the interview ended].